“The queen was our sovereign, our head of state,” stated Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. (File)
Wellington, New Zealand:
New Zealand can have a one-off public vacation on September 26 to mark the dying of Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stated at this time.
“This, I hope, will likely be an opportunity to acknowledge a lifetime of service to New Zealand by Queen Elizabeth II,” Ms Ardern instructed reporters in Wellington.
“We have to acknowledge right here (that) this can be a one-in-70-year occasion. The queen was our sovereign, our head of state.”
“She made an infinite contribution to New Zealand by means of her pubic service,” Ms Ardern added. “This marks a major finish to a chapter.”
A state memorial service will likely be held within the capital’s Cathedral of St Paul on the identical day.
Prime Minister Ardern confirmed she’s going to depart New Zealand on September 14 to attend the queen’s funeral in London, instantly after which she’s going to fly to the United Nation’s Basic Meeting in New York.
New Zealand follows within the footsteps of Australia, the place a public vacation has been introduced for September 22.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese can also be flying to London to attend the funeral.
Yesterday, Australia and New Zealand formally named King Charles III as monarch.
Each former British colonies have been impartial for many years however retain the monarch as their head of state.
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